Guitar Hero: Enemy or Ally?
November 30, 2008 by 
SephiraAndy
Filed under Featured
Guitar Hero has often been dismissed by many a guitar player as dumbing down actual guitar playing. Claims like “It’s not like playing a real guitar.” and suggestions such as “You do know you’re not actually playing that song, right?” are often batted around on forums and in YouTube comments. But is that really the case?
Guitar Hero, as well as imitations and improvements such as Frets on Fire and Rock Band, are great tools in helping any musician practice one of the most crucial elements of music and composition. Rhythm and Timing.
When teaching guitar I have often been told that getting to grips with strumming in rhythm is a difficult task. The only real suggestions I had were to “keep practicing”, or “pat rhythms to songs on your lap to ‘feel’ it more naturally”. But now I can truly recommend Guitar Hero style games.
Unless you’re using a hand controller for playing the game (which makes the game more of a whack-a-mole kind of deal) playing the guitar-style controller comfortably sets your posture into guitar-playing stance ready to strum like the heroes of rock!
Another massive aid Guitar Hero style games can give to the beginner guitarist is the practice needed for left hand / right hand independence.
Quit hating Guitar Hero style games and go play with your mates with the knowledge that it’s good practice for the real thing!
Treat yourself.
Image from xkcd.com A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language.
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Dale (Who am I?)
7 months ago
Sorry man, I will continue to hate Guitar Hero. We have one of those in our offices, not far from where I sit. It sounds really stupid when you’re listening to someone hack away on that little axe. Good thing I have earplugs.
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SephiraAndy Reply:
November 30th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Well you’re not going to get better at rhythm by just listening. Join in! Who knows, you might even enjoy it.
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SephiraAndy (Who am I?)
7 months ago
Well you’re not going to get better at rhythm by just listening. Join in! Who knows, you might even enjoy it.
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Bryan (Who am I?)
7 months ago
The Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises are helping out the music industry and music lovers alike. Many of the songs that are in the games are becoming popular again, and it’s helped musicians with another avenue for getting their music out to the masses.
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Dan (Who am I?)
6 months ago
I’m not a hater of guitar hero, I think its fun, but its really sad when people put endless hours on getting better at it. Like when people try to get the inhuman achievement. If are going to put that much time in a fake guitar, go buy a real one!!!!!!
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